Sports Top Stories

Bode Miller's Olympic career possibly over after he withdraws from slalom

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia – Bode Miller, the most accomplished men's Alpine skier in U.S. history, will not compete in the slalom race at the Sochi Games because of lingering knee issues, possibly ending his Olympic career.

Miller, 36, became the oldest Alpine skier to medal when he shared the bronze in the super-G. He finished 20th in Wednesday's giant slalom, and said he tweaked his surgically repaired left knee during the first run.

After completing his second run of the giant slalom, Miller initially said he planned to have his knee drained before deciding whether to compete in Saturday's slalom, the final Alpine event of the Sochi Games. Not long after, he officially announced his withdrawal.

"It's tough to have my last race look like this, but I feel really good about where I'm at," said Miller, who plans to finish the World Cup season. "You know, I came back strong. I really did a lot of work and I put in the time. It's a positive feeling. I feel like I did my best."

Miller's bronze in the super-G made him the first male U.S. skier to medal in three different Winter Games and allowed him to surpass Kjetil André Aamodt as the oldest Alpine Olympic medalist. Miller has six total Olympic medals, including a gold in super combined at the 2010 Vancouver Games.